AIM: To investigate the method for using semi-bionic extraction (SBE) on Simiao Yongan Decoction as an example. METHODS: Orthogonal design was used to optimize the extraction conditions of SBE with the evaluation markers such as chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, total polysaccharide, ethanol soluble extractives and dried extract. RESULTS: The optimized SBE conditions were as follows: The medical material was powdered through a sieve with 4 meshes) and extracted with 20% ethanol for three times, the pH of the three extractions were in proper order 3.50, 7.50, 8.50 ; the solvent volume was 10,8,8 times, respectively, and the extraction time was 1.5,1.0,1.0 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: The optimum extraction conditions are stable and practicable, and surpass the original SBE extraction conditions.

The study of viruses traditionally focused on their roles as infectious agents and as tools for understanding cell biology. Recently, however, with the development of structural biology, viruses have now been receiving particular attention in nanotechnology. By chemical methods or by gene modification, viruses have been functionalized as potential building blocks for several applications, such as drug/gene delivery vehicles, advanced vaccine vehicles, and special inorganic or organic nanomaterials. Here we highlight some of the recent progresses in the medical applications of viruses.
Biomedical Research ; trends ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Nanostructures ; Nanotechnology ; trends ; Vaccines ; Viruses

BACKGROUND: At present, treatment of diabetes mellitus with western medicine starts from the angle of stimulating injured β cell of islet to strength insulin secreting. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine is very important in protecting injured β cells.OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharide and nourishing yin and activating blood compound recipe on pancreatic islet function in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled animal experiments.SETTING: First Affiliated Hospital and Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: Totally 70 male Wistar rats, aged 6 weeks, with body mass of 200 g, were used in this experiment.METHODS: This experiment was carried out at the Animal Room of Henan University of Science and Technology from October 2001 to April 2002. Totally 70 rats were divided into two groups: normal control group (n=10) and modeling group (n=60). Totally 30 successful model rats were randomly subdivided into 3 groups: streptozotocin model group, compound recipe treated group and lycium barbarum polysaccharide-treated group,with 10 rats in each group ;Intragastric administration of 60 g/kg Chinese herb compound recipe for nourishing yin and activating blood was performed on the rats in the compound recipe treated group at 9:00 every day (huangqi, shanyao, gegen respectively 30 g, gouqizi, danshen, huafen,digupi respectively 15 g, danggui, zhimu respectively 12 g, danpi, wuweizi respectively 10 g, shuizhi 5 g, shanyurou 20 g, etc, provided by drug store of First Hospital Affiliated to Henan University of Science and Technology,were decocted and condensed to be equivalent crude drug 3.0 kg/L with routine method). Intragastric administration of 0.5 g/kg lycium barbarum polysaccharide was given in the lyciun barbarum polysaccharide treated group (lycium barbarum polysaccharide was isolated and purified from ningxia barbary wolfberry fruit). Intragastric administration of comparative volume of normal saline was performed in the streptozotocin model group and normal control group, totally 3 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin were measured at 3 weeks before and after experiment, and function index of β cell of islet was calculated; Pancreas was taken out to detect SOD activity, NOS activity and concentrations of NO and MDA were also detected.RESULTS: Ten rats in normal control group and 30 successful model rats in model group entered the stage of result analysis. ① In the initial stage of experiment, FBG level in each modeling group was significantly increased (t=16.51 to 10.07,P ＜ 0.01), while fasting insulin level and function index of β cell were significantly decreased (t=13.64 to 100.99 ,P ＜ 0.01 ) in comparison with normal control group. ② At 3 weeks after experiment, levels of FBG, NO , MDA , NOS activity were significantly decreased in the compound recipe treated group and lycium barbarum polysaccharide group compared with streptozotocin model group (t=8.08 to 72.68 ,P ＜ 0.01 ), while level of fasting insulin and function index of β cell, SOD activity were significantly increased in the compound recipe treated group and lycium barbarum polysaccharide group compared with streptozotocin model group (t=4.39 to 17.87,P ＜ 0.05-0.01 ). ③ Levels of FBG and MDA , NOS activity and concentration of NO were significantly decreased in the compound recipe treated group, and fasting insulin and function index of βcells were significantly increased in comparison with lycium barbarum polysaccharide group(P ＜ 0.01 ).CONCLUSION: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide and nourishing yin and activating blood compound recipe increase the level of fasting insulin and function index of βcell of rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus, decrease the level of blood glucose, improve the function of βcell of islet, which might be related to the increase of pancreatic islet SOD activity and decrease NOS activity.

Objective: To explore automatic breast full volume imaging (ABVS) and color doppler ultrasound (CDFI) for breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in the evaluation of curative effect. Methods:The application of a CDFI and ABVS 42 cases of breast cancer patients receiving NCT lesions imaging characteristics before and after observation and analysis. Results:ABVS from coronal distribution and audio-visual change according to the primary tumor, and CDFI images showing the primary tumors and blood flow changes within all have significant difference in patients with complete remission after NCT (P<0.01);ABVS from coronal distri-bution and audio-visual change according to the primary tumor, and CDFI showed lesions in blood flow changes, etc. in patients with the absence of change and easing some lesions have no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion:We use ABVS and CDFI for breast cancer before and after the NCT curative effect evaluation of great clinical significance and value.

BACKGROUND:Extracorporeal shock wave has been shown to influence the physiological function of endothelial cel s via the activation of mechanoreceptors and specific signal transduction system, and gene expression regulation.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the impact of different energy flow densities and numbers of shots of extracorporeal shock waves on the new vessel formation ability, migration capability and apoptosis of bone microvascular endothelial cel s.
METHODS:Bone microvascular endothelial cel s isolated from the femoral head of patients undergoing arthroplasty were subcultured in vitro, and then were immunofluorescently evaluated with endothelial cel marker antibodies to CD31 and von Wil ebrand factor (vWF), and grouped according to different energy flow densities (low, 0.03 mJ/mm2;high, 0.11 mJ/mm2) and numbers of shots (400 and 800). Capil ary-like tube formation, migration capability and apoptosis of bone microvascular endothelial cel s were determined by 3-D culture in vitro, scratch test, and flow cytometry, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:vWF and CD31 were positively expressed in approximately 100%of bone microvascular endothelial cel s, which indicates the cultured cel s had characterization of microvascular endothelial cel s. Extracorporeal shock wave enhanced angiogenesis and migration capability of bone microvascular endothelial cel s derived from the femoral head, and especial y low-energy flow density of extracorporeal shock wave exerted more superior effects. Angiogenesis of bone microvascular endothelial cel s was decreased with the increased shot number in the low-energy flow density group. In addition, extracorporeal shock wave inhibited bone microvascular endothelial cel apoptosis induced by steroids. Our results suggest that energy flow density and number of shots of extracorporeal shock waves impact the physiological function of bone microvascular endothelial cel s derived from the femoral head.

Objective To explore the therapeutic strategy and clinical value of intraoperative chole-dochoscopy and electrohydraulic lithotripsy for refractory intrahepatic bile duct stones.Methods Liver pa-renchyma,intrahepatic bile duct and bile duct stones were explored under direct vision and intraoperative choledochoscope in 1 1 cases of refractory intrahepatic bile duct stones.Electrohydraulic lithotripsy and lithot-omy were performed to remove the stones and protect the liver parenchyma.If the stones could not be re-moved once,a secondary lithotripsy and lithotomy was performed through the fistula tract.Results All re-fractory calculi were crushed after one or two procedures and the clearance rate were 100%.No complica-tions occurred.Ten patients were followed up from 1 to 3 years except one.Three cases revealed recurrent stone during follow-up due to withdrawal of ursodeoxycholic acid capsules in 1 to 2 years.Seven others showed no stone recurrence within follow-up time.Conclusion Intraoperative choledochoscopy and electro-hydraulic lithotripsy is an easy technique and can effectively protect the liver parenchyma.The life quality of patients can be improved with low surgical risk and postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVEThe present study aims to study the influences experimental navigation and intensive exercise on immune-neuroendocrine network of the male rats and the effects of PNS to this influence.

METHODThirty 6-week Sprague-Dawley male rats (SD rats) were randomly located into three groups: Quiescent control (QC) group, training control (TC) group and Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) group. Rats from QC group were not given any stimuli, and samples were taken after 7-day intragastric administration of saline. Rats from TC group underwent 10-day run training of increasing load on treadmill and received 7-day intragastric administration of saline. PNS group were subjected to the same procedure of run training as group TC, and received intragastric administration of PNS at the dose of 0.2 g x kg(-1). Blood samples were immediately obtained at the end of the tests to determine the serum levels of corticosterone (Cort), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) by RIA. Expressions of Pituitary ACTH, NPY were observed use the immunohistochemistry method and correlation analyses conducted. And the ultrastructural changes of the pituitaries and the adrenal cortex cells were examined by electron microscope meanwhile.

RESULTThe serum beta-EP and Cort levels in TC group were significantly increased compared to the QC group; whereas Expression levels of pituitary ACTH, NPY were markedly higher after experimental navigation and intensive exercise. In Group PNS, the plasma Cort, ACTH and NPY levels decreased significantly compared to Group TC. Meanwhile we found expression levels of pituitary ACTH, NPY also lower than group TC. There was no significant difference about the ultrastructure of anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex of QC and PNS group. However, a obvious change of ultrastructure occurred to TC group rats.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that immune-neuroendocrine network function of rats were confused by negative psychological stresses and intensive exercise. PNS therapy may exert regulation effects to the network.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Exercise ; Humans ; Immune System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Neurosecretory Systems ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage

Objective To study the immune intervention effect and mechanism of blockage of macrophage-mediated PD1 /PD-L1 pathways with functional PD-L1(programmed cell death ligand-1,PD-L1)monoclonal antibody upon tuberculosis(TB)relapse in mice. Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were infected by tail vein injection of 106CFU M. tuberculosis H37Rv to obtain active TB infection. Two weeks postinfection, the mice in different groups were administered isoniazid(10 mg/kg)(group ISO)and isoniazid combined with PD-L1 monoclonal antibody(50 μg/each)(group ISO+PD-L1)respectively,continued for four weeks to obtain latent infection. The subsequent relapse was monitored. Among the treatment groups,the TB relapse was induced by TNF-α antibody(50 ug/each)for four weeks from the beginning of latent stage. At each scheduled time point, bacterial loads and pathological changes in the lung, spleen and liver were quantitatively analyzed,thereby,the in vivo intervention effect of PD-L1 monoclonal antibody on tuberculosis recurrence in mice was revealed. The in vitro experiment was further explored whether knock-down the expression of PD-L1 on the infected macrophages could accerlate the macrophage apoptosis. Results The bacterial burden reached 3-4 Lg(CFU/mL),and granuloma lesions were extensive in the lung, spleen and liver in the all infected groups, which appeared as active TB stage at 2nd week postinfection. After treated,the bacterial burden of the lung,spleen and liver was decreased, and the pathological lesions alleviated in the group ISO and group ISO+PD-L1, compared with the model control group, showing significant differences, but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. However, compared with the group ISO,the group ISO+PD-L1 had a significantly lower bacterial load and milder pathological lesions during the relapse period. Futhermore, knock-down the expression of PD-L1 on macrophages with anti-PD-L1 or PD-L1-siRNA promoted apoptosis in macrophages. Conclusions Blockade of the PD1/PD-L1 pathway by PD-L1 functional antibody can inhibit TB relapse in mice,and knock-down the expression of PD-L1 on macrophages or PD1/PD-L1 pathway with functional antibody can promote apoptosis in macrophages,which together indicate that PD-L1 blockage can effectively promote isoniazid treatment of TB and remarkably inhibit the recurrence of TB in mice.

Objective TNF-α monoclonal antibody drugs are widely used to treat conditions such as rheumatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. On the other hand, it is also a wide concern that the application of these drugs may increase the susceptibility of patients to infections such as tuberculosis and listeriosis. The aim of this study was to establish a mouse model of Listeria monocytogenes infection and to evaluate the effect of TNF-α monoclonal antibody on the host susceptibility to this infection. Methods Six SPF 14-week old female C57BL/6 mice and 12 SPF 14-week old female TNF-α humanized mice were injected with saline or adalimumab intravenously, and challenged with intraperitoneal injection of 104 CFU Listeria monocytogenes 24 h later. After one day or 4 days, the mice were sacrificed to examine the pathological lesions and the bacterial load in the spleen and liver. Results Four days after infection, the area of microabscess in the liver tissues was significantly increased in the adalimumab-treated group. The bacterial load in the spleen and liver tissues of the adalimumab-treated group was significantly higher than that of the C57BL/6 mouse control group and TNF-α humanized mouse control group (P ＜ 0. 05). However, the distribution of macrophages in the liver tissues and B cells in the spleen tissues were similar among groups. Conclusions TNF-α plays an important role in the host immune responses to Listeria monocytogenes infection. After the intervention with TNF-α monoclonal antibody, the progress of host disease is significantly exacerbated.

Abstract As a new type of pollutant, microplastics have attracted extensive attention. Children in a critical stage of growth and development are vulnerable to microplastics. Summarzing the relevant laws and regulations and the source of microplastics, the paper demonstrates the ways of microplastics entering human body, some toxic effects of microplastics found in recent experimental studies and their potential hazards to children s health are introduced in detail.